(La Porte County, IN) - The debate continues regarding a proposed solar farm on 2,600 acres in Kankakee and Wills Townships.
It was standing-room only at the County Complex last Tuesday for a public workshop hosted by county commissioners. Here’s a recap of what transpired:
Mike Ekovich spoke on behalf of area residents opposed to the solar development. He outlined a number of additions recommended to be added to the county’s current solar farm ordinance. Among them were increased setbacks, regular water testing, drainage maintenance, erosion and dust control, and no soil removal.
Several property owners spoke in favor of their own property rights. “We all want to utilize our properties to the fullest, and we want the best for our families,” said Jim Kusper. “The last time I looked, we are all still Americans, and all have the right to do what we want with our properties.” A point of contention among neighbors is that a solar farm may adversely affect property values and possibly introduce contaminants if solar panels fail.
Kusper’s brother Don claimed that their farmland’s soil is already poor from 84 years of over-farming. “I think it’s time for the land to purify itself,” he said, “and this solar field would do that.” And he suggested that harvesting sunshine is just a better deal for farms. According to Kusper, the country’s current green energy policies paint a bleak picture for the future of corn profits.
For Gene Smith, the opportunity is a financial parachute. Having farmed all of his life, he’s ready to be done. “I want to retire; I’m old. I can retire and still have a very good income,” he said. “This is going to last for 35 years. This is going to take care of my children, it’s going to take care of my grandchildren. And as a property owner, I think I should have that right.” Smith said the opposition isn’t a matter of pollution and property values, but of other farmers not wanting to lose acreage that they’re currently renting.
County Economic Development Director Matt Reardon assured the public that no tax incentives have been offered for the solar project, partly because it won’t create long-term jobs. He also said it will not be a boon to the local tax base. Although he would have preferred some other type of development, Reardon voiced his approval for solar.
Emily McDuff, representing the solar company RWE Clean Energy, spoke as well. “We really like to see an engaged community,” she said. “We want to work with neighbors in the community as we develop this project and hopefully build it and operate it for 35 years.” McDuff reminded the audience that RWE maintains projects throughout their duration and does not sell them off to other developers.
Then the conversation turned to the legal process.
Building Commissioner Mike Polan explained to the crowd that the County Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning have final say in the project proposal, not the commissioners. In response to a question about accountability, Polan offered that their role as non-elected officials is to keep politics out of the process.
“This is why we have a planning commission,” said county attorney Scott Pejic. “We just can’t jump to the commissioners and say do something about this now, when we’ve already gone through the process.” Pejic noted that several public meetings have already been held, and people are just now appealing to the Commissioners, who only have power to update an ordinance. “This is the second joint workshop,” he said. “The planning commission formed a committee to talk about this. So everyone has dropped everything they’re doing, so to speak, with everything else to run this large county we have to try to accommodate these concerns.”
Steve Holifield countered that many people do not pay attention to public notices and were unaware of the development until recently.
The current solar ordinance went into effect in 2021. Opponents may seek a moratorium on solar farms until changes to the ordinance can be hashed out.
There is a plan commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 23rd. A solar ordinance workshop will be held at 5pm with the regular meeting at 6pm.
